Korean Survey: High Hopes for New Tech, Less for Blockchain and Metaverse

Ripple Expands in Asia-Pacific with Full License to Operate in SingaporeEnterprise blockchain firm Ripple announced on Wednesday (UTC) that it has secured a full license to operate in Singapore, where it has established its Asia-Pacific headquarters since 2017.Photo by Sergio Sala on UnsplashFrom outline to full approval in 4 monthsThis development marks another step in Ripple’s strategic expansion within the Asia-Pacific region, known for its rapidly growing cryptocurrency market. Ripple’s journey to obtaining this full license began less than four months ago when the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) granted it an initial in-principle approval in June. With the newly acquired full license, Ripple is now authorized to offer regulated cryptocurrency payment services in Singapore, a key financial hub in the region.Brad Garlinghouse, the CEO of Ripple, expressed his enthusiasm for the company’s continued growth in Singapore, stating:“We have hired exceptional talent and local leadership, doubling headcount over the past year and plan to continue growing our presence in a progressive jurisdiction like Singapore.”Global expansion strategyThe company also highlighted the fact that over 90% of Ripple’s business occurs outside the United States, making the Asia-Pacific region, and Singapore in particular, a vital part of its global expansion strategy.Monica Long, President of Ripple, explained in a recent interview with CNBC that the Singapore office has seen substantial growth in the past year due to the booming business opportunities in the Asia-Pacific region. This expansion aligns with Singapore’s leadership in crypto regulation in the region. The introduction of the Payment Services Act, which has been in effect since January 2020, has played a large part in that, regulating payment services and crypto services to the public.Singapore’s regulatory framework also includes requirements for crypto service providers to safeguard customer assets in statutory trusts by the end of 2023 and restrictions on facilitating lending or staking of retail customers’ assets. These measures ensure consumer protection and responsible growth in the crypto industry.Praising SingaporeGarlinghouse commended Singapore’s regulatory approach, stating, “Under MAS’ leadership, Singapore has developed into one of the leading fintech and digital asset hubs, striking the balance between innovation, consumer protection and responsible growth.” Ripple’s experience in Singapore differs entirely from the ongoing legal battle it has found itself in in the United States with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).Both Ripple and Coinbase have found themselves embroiled in lawsuits with the regulator in the US. In Ripple’s case, the firm and its founders have been accused of unlawfully selling their native cryptocurrency XRP without registering it with the SEC. However, a landmark ruling in July determined that XRP, as a token, may not necessarily be classified as a security.Long spoke to the contrasting experiences the firm has encountered between the United States and Singapore. Long stated:”Being in Singapore a couple weeks ago felt like night and day compared to the US in terms of open dialogue with regulators, and thus being able to build innovative *and* compliant products.”Ripple, along with Coinbase and several other crypto firms, has criticized the lack of regulatory clarity in the US and has even considered relocating operations due to the SEC’s stringent regulatory stance. Notably, Coinbase also recently announced its successful acquisition of a major payment institution license in Singapore, following its in-principle approval obtained about a year ago.

The Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), the financial regulatory agency of the Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC), a special economic zone, has approved two stablecoins under its crypto regulatory framework. The two stablecoins, USD Coin (USDC) and EURC, are both issued by blockchain-focused financial services firm Circle. While USDC is a U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin, EURC is a euro-backed stablecoin. In a press release published on the Circle website on Feb. 24, the company announced details regarding the approval. The stablecoins are the first to be recognized and approved by the DFSA.Photo by Christoph Schulz on UnsplashStablecoin integrationThe development means that firms based in the DIFC are now free to integrate either stablecoin into digital asset applications and products focused on areas such as payments and treasury management. A number of Circle executives took to social media to comment on the development. Circle Co-founder and CEO Jeremy Allaire outlined on X that the approval means that financial institutions in Dubai “are now able to transact in markets with USDC and EURC.” In legally recognizing the two stablecoins, Allaire pointed out that the DFSA had joined regulators in the European Union (EU) and Canada.  Last Summer, Allaire announced that Circle’s stablecoins complied with the EU’s Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) regulation. In December, Circle became the first stablecoin issuer to meet Canadian listing regulations. Dante Disparte, Circle’s chief strategy officer and head of global policy, pointed out that a trend is emerging requiring the pre-clearing of stablecoins prior to them entering into circulation or gaining regulatory approval. “In always-on finance, reciprocity is key,” he added.  Meanwhile, the firm’s EU Strategy & Policy Director, Patrick Hansen, underscored the significance of the approval. Hansen pointed to the fact that the DIFC is home to 6,000 registered entities, including 800 authorized financial firms. An ‘edge’ over TetherEugene Cheung, Chief Institutional Business Officer at Hong Kong-based digital asset platform OSL, said that the approval was “massive for institutional adoption,” while giving Circle an “edge” over Tether within the $157 billion stablecoin market. While Circle has always taken a regulatory-compliant approach, competitor Tether has struggled with compliance. In Europe, 10 companies have been approved to issue stablecoins under MiCA regulations, but Tether is not among them. This has led to a number of exchanges delisting Tether’s USDT in Europe. The DIFC was first established in 2004. The economic free-zone caters to firms operating within the Middle East, South Asian and African regions. The number of businesses registered within the free zone has increased by 25% since 2023. In November 2022, the DIFC recognized Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH) and Litecoin (LTC). The following year, it added Toncoin (TON) and Ripple’s XRP, together with ZETA, the native token of the ZetaChain network. In 2024, the DFSA amended its crypto regulations to allow foreign funds to invest in recognized crypto tokens, while enabling domestic qualified investor funds to invest in unrecognized tokens.Although the regulatory approach taken by the authorities in Dubai accommodates stablecoins, algorithmic stablecoins are prohibited.

BIONES partners with Bithumb Burrito Wallet for integrated service developmentBIONES, the developer of Bio Passport, a blockchain-based medical record and healthcare data management service, announced Wednesday that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Rotonda, the operator of the cryptocurrency wallet Bithumb Burrito Wallet. Burrito Wallet’s services are expected to be integrated into Bio Passport to expand accessibility and grow the blockchain ecosystem.Photo by Julia Zyablova on UnsplashRevolutionizing healthcare with blockchainBio Passport is notable for its blockchain-based features. This includes secure management and storage of personal healthcare information, built on distributed identification technology; a token reward system; and a decentralized application (dApp) service that allows users to contact their healthcare providers remotely, among other functions. The company’s ultimate goal is to provide telemedical services so that patients can receive consultations without having to visit a hospital or clinic in person.Simplifying crypto transactions across the worldLaunched in February, Burrito Wallet’s primary functions include convenient chat-based cryptocurrency transfers and crypto swapping. It is the largest multi-chain wallet in Korea that supports 11 mainnets, including Bitcoin and Ethereum, as well as over 1,000 token currencies.It was also recently launched in Latin America, accelerating its global expansion. Notably, users of the service in this region will have access to on- and off-ramp functions for buying and selling crypto.Strategic collaborationThrough this agreement, BIONES said that it would work with Rotonda in blockchain-related business endeavors and participate in various activities for joint development, such as user acquisition, blockchain ecosystem expansion and marketing projects.“Burrito Wallet has a variety of functions, from storing and managing crypto assets to transfers and swaps. Users can take advantage of increased safety and convenience while enjoying user-friendly wallet services,” BIONES said. “By integrating Burrito Wallet into the Bio Passport app, we aim to make it easier for more users to use our Web3-based dApps, and we plan to expand the blockchain ecosystem to create synergized effects through active marketing and technical cooperation.”